AN - Apologies for the lateness and all that, I've just been dealing with a whole lot of bullshit since the quarantine like finding a new job (which I have now) and now that I can pay the bills I was able to sit down and actually write this fucker out. I hope you're all staying safe out there!

Chapter XVII: New Alliances Part II

17 ADP, 19th Day of the Seventh Moon

Arthas fled the room but got an unfortunate vase to the back of the skull thrown by an enraged Jaina.

"ARTHAS GET BACK HERE YOU FUCKING COWARD!" She screamed from inside of the delivery room making the young prince go pale. A chuckle followed a hand landing itself on his shoulder.

"Alright there lad?" The rich baritone of Daelin Proudmoore asked, amusement showing on his face along with a hint of sadistic glee at seeing his precious daughter bash the little shit with a vase. Meanwhile a bit away a teenage boy was valiantly holding in his laughter, turning in his seat slightly to hide his grin.

Glancing over at the closed room he chuckled once more "Her mother was much the same during her pregnancies, the rage will pass... eventually. I would keep her out of arms reach of any sharp objects just to be sure however, that's how I got this scar." Daelin said as he pointed at the long scar traveling up one of his arms.

"I... I see." The prince breathed "Lord Daelin... how, how did you prepare for your first son?"

"You know, I asked my father that very same question."

"And what did he say?"

"He said, and I quote 'Man da fuck up boy, are ye a sailor er a landlubber? Take care o' yers er fuck off ta' da deepest trenches o' da sea!' ... my father was never the most eloquent of men but he certainly got his point across nonetheless." The Grand Admiral finished with a light chuckle.

Arthas let out an amused huff but nodded in thanks. "Right, point received. Jaina all but told me to continue as a knight of the Silver Hand seeing as I've already been inducted... I wanted to be here for her and our child but she said that I need to be out there seeing the plight of my people, learning of their sorrows and helping in anyway I can."

Daelin hummed in agreement, "You would do well to heed her advice, women (magical ones especially) are often right about these things, that is why the Queen often takes the role of advisor rather than ruler. In this case Jaina is making sure that the people know you and know that you are on their side and doing everything you can to aid them and they will love you all the more for it. Public relations are an important matter for rulers, learn this lesson well."

After nearly an hour the screaming and loud cursing finally subsided and Katherine exited the delivery room with a proud smile on her face. "Arthas, Tanny, Husband, come greet the newest member of our family."

Daelin turned to his second son and smiled "I'm afraid Tandred is a bit... preoccupied at the moment."

Following his sight Katherine could only sigh in fond exhausperation. "You know he gets that from you."

"I don't believe I know what you speak of my dear wife." Daelin denied smoothly as he passed her and entered the room.

Arthas snorted at the sight of his passed-out fourteen-year-old brother-in-law sprawlled out across three chairs with a line of drool dribbling down the side of his mouth. "Perhaps we should let him rest, it has been a long day."

"Go on ahead dear, I'll wake him up." Katherine said before grabbing one of Tandren's arms and roughly pulling him to the floor.

"AH! Wha- huuh!?"

Meanwhile inside Daelin was beside his daughter holding her hand as she gave him a tired smile. "How are you feeling Starlight?"

"Better... now, daddy." She responded through ragged breaths. "Tired but I'll be ok after a nice long rest." Glancing down at the baby boy craddled in her arm she couldn't help but think it was all worth it.

The child held both of his parent's traits with tufts of bright blonde hair and dark blue eyes from what he'd been told. After eating his first meal the lad had apparantly gone immediately to sleep. "What's his name?"

"We had a few ideas," Arthas said as he joined them and stood at Jaina's other side but his eyes had yet to leave 'his' son's face. "But I rather like the name we decided on."

In a corner of the room Calia smiled at her baby brother's awed look. Maybe one day she would look upon her own child with such love? Right now she was just happy for her little brother and her dear friend Jaina on the successful birth of her nephew.

"Well then?" Daelin huffed "Don't keep an old man in suspence."

Jaina craddled her son closer and smiled faintly "Derek..." She whispered "Derek Menethil."

Daelin's breath hitched for a moment and it was only his wife's touch that calmed him down. Looking down at the woman he eventually grew to love he could also see the faint glimmer of tears at the edges of her own eyes. "I see... a fine name indeed. Your brother... he would have been honored."

Tandred who had just followed his mother in looked at the child in curiosity. He could hardly remember his older brother, faint images of a handsome looking young man in his late teens, already sporting a beard came to mind. He would sometimes take him out to sea with him on his ship but those memories had faded with time as he had only been a child at the time.

He smiled looking upon his nephew. Grow up well Derek, I'm sure brother will be looking after you from beneath the waves.

000

17 ADP, 8th Day of the Seventh Moon

"URRRAAAAHHH!" Thrall roared as he brought his axe down, Grom barely having time to bring up his axe to parry the strike before lashing out with a swing of his own. The young warchief backed away as he inspected the cut across his bicep. "Damn." He grunted.

Grom let out a rough chuckle, still in combat stance. "You may be Warchief, but I am a blademaster for a reason pup, maybe in ten years you'll land a blow against me?" He taunted playfully.

Thrall took the playfull jab as just that and readied his weapon "Again?"

"I'm afraid I'll have to stop you there Warchief." Drek'Thar said as he approached the two warriors with an envelope in hand. "A letter, from the Alterac queen."

Thrall nodded and accepted the letter using a small dagger on his belt to neatly cut the end and withdraw the parchment inside. Reading it over he hummed in thought before turning to Grom who gave Thrall an expectant look.

"The king of Stromgarde has finished moving all of his rivals to guard over the interment camps, four in total. He does not care for the state we leave them in so we are allowed to use any means necessary to retrieve our people." Thrall told his High Warlord.

The man snorted "Allowed? These humans presume much, to allow us anything."

"Gromm." Thrall sent the veteran warrior a look "Stromgarde is one of the few allies we have in these lands and all the've asked in return is for us to kill off some humans for them? I don't really see the problem considering we would have done that either way."

Grom rolled his eyes but said nothing. Turning to Drek'Thar Thrall handed him the letter, "Show this to Orgrim and have him meet us in the war tent, we move for Arathi as soon as possible."

"Yes, Warchief!"

000

Thousands of miles north another pair of warriors sparred, one having temporarily discarded her bow in favor of her twin blades to help repel her opponent's own daggers. Sylvanas ducked under another swipe and lashed out with a swing towards the human's thigh which cut deeply into his skin for a moment only for a puff of smoke to draw her ire.

"Damnable mage!" She quickly spun and placed her blades in an X formation to block the twin-fanged ambush attempt from the Alteraci king. His sudden grin gave her a bad feeling, one which proved prophetic as he kicked her square in the chest and sent her tumbling for a moment before she handsprung into a low crouch and loosed a volley of arrows from her hastily drawn bow.

Menma didn't even slow his charge as he deflected every shot easily before suddenly blinking behind the woman and tossing his kunai at her unprotected back.

Having fallen for that trick once before, Sylvanas grabbed one of the blades she had planted in the ground and swiped the two blades out of the air. With a push of her powerful thighs the elf leaped back in a perfectly executed disengage and charged arcane power into her next arrow.

Menma's eyes narrowed as he skid to a stop and quickly stuck his hand out to conjure a mana shield which blocked the arcane shot followed by a swarm of arcane missles from his other hand.

Unfortunately for him the arcane arrow had merely been a distraction to allow Sylvanas a moment's respite and a chance to retreat into the nearby woods. Now Menma was alone in the clearing with only the faint sounds of nature coming from around him. "Heh, you're pretty good at hiding."

Sylvanas watched from the trees as the human made a show of looking around. "But while talented in the ways of stealth..."

"I'm better." His breathy voice whispered into her ear, drawing an involuntary shudder of both revulsion and arousal in her. The blade to her throat clearly denoted his win this round as the human down in the clearing smirked up at her before vanishing in a cloud of smoke.

Pulling the blade away Menma hopped down to the forest floor and glanced up at the Ranger-General. He had to admit that Vereesa had not been exagerating when she said that her elder sister Sylvanas was the most beautiful elf in all of Quel'Thalas. "Coming General?"

She eyed him for a moment before shaking her head softly "I believe I will stay among the woods for a time yet."

Menma simply shrugged, knowing how much both kinds of elves loved their trees. "Suit yourself, I'll catch you later." He said, throwing a wave behind him as he left for Silvermoon.

Sylvanas' eyes trailed the human king who despite her better judgement had squirmed his way into her life. He had aparantly been a companion of her little sister Vereesa and had expressed interest in meeting with her after her sister had talked her up.

A faint smile crossed her normally cold expression, Vereesa had always chased after her and Alleria, it had always been a source of amusement for them. Thoughts turning to the annoying clown of a king she had the displeasure of knowing for the past several months brought conflicting emotions to her heart and mind.

Unlike her sisters she had yet to have taken a lover for herself. For a time she had thought that man would have been Nathanos only to meet with his family the day she travelled to the Marris Stead, including his wife. Many had speculated about their relationship after she spent the night at the Stead but in truth she had simply accept the wife's offer to the stay the night as it would soon turn dark.

Her duties as Ranger-General took priority once more and soon she became the feared and respected military leader of the High-Elves, a status that intimidated many men leaving only those that persued her for her great beauty and those shallow men never appealed to her.

Then the Fool came alongside her Prince. Arrogant, prideful, irreverant, and self-assured. At first she dismissed him as another human far too up their own ass to be bothered with... then he began pestering her.

Small talks at first, then the occassional spar and at some point he had convinced her to join him for breakfast on the weekends which eventually became as routine as strapping on her armor every morning.

Much to her shame she had been drawn in by the Fool's charms. The letter she had received from Vereesa after asking for aid in dealing with her sister's companion was equally as shameful as it was more mocking and amused in tone than anything.

Vereesa even the gall to end the letter with a note to remember the words of their mother about falling for the first man they lay with. As if she would ever debase herself by taking that fool to bed!

Sylvanas could feel her face heating up which only served to draw her ire further. "Next time." She scowled. "An arrow to the chest for every embarrassment, I swear this Menma!"

000

Elsewhere, strung up in chains and bindings a pair of shining blue eyes opened. Her mind which had slowly been unravelling over the centuries suddenly gained a moment of clarity as the Shadows whispered a name.

"Men... ma...?" Her raspy voice repeated before her eyes closed once more and she fell deep into the oppressive and lonely darkness of her prison cell once more.

000

The shinobi's head suddenly snapped up from his meditation, gaze turning to the far off stars in confusion as he took in the night's sky. It seems as though he was deeper in meditation that he thought. "Is something wrong Master?" The voice of his newest apprentice drew his attention back to the her.

"No..." He began slowly. "I simply thought I heard something. How is your progress going?"

The young woman smiled triumphantly as tendrils of shadow enveloped her body until she resembled a walking shadow with glowing blue eyes. "I have become onewith the Void."

Menma smirked in satisfaction. "Well done Solarian, you'll unlock the secrets of the greater universe soon enough."

The woman bowed her head in submission "By your grace Master."

"How goes your summoning?" Menma questioned next as he strode behind her, trailing a hand across her shoulders.

"The little ones respond well to me, Master." Solarian demonstrated by summoning a few Lesser Voidcallers with the aid of an orb of crystallized shadow made by compressing a shadow-orb under extreme pressure.

The tiny shadow beings flocked to the young woman like children all vying for their mother's attention. The Astromancer seemed to have an affinity for summoning Voidcallers which when destroyed created a minor rift in space, eventually her connection to the void would grow powerful enough to begin summoning the normal Voidcallers who's purpose was to lure greater inhabitants of the Void and sacrifice themselves to pull them through.

She smiled faintly at the almost child like beings before dismissing them as she could feel her Master's hands roaming her body. "Shall we move to the bedroom, Master?"

"Hmm... no." Menma decided as he began stipping her clothes off leaving only the naked shadow of Solaris. "I think I'll take you under the moon's light tonight."

Her Shadowform hid the eagerness in her eyes as he disrobed while she made herself comfortable on the few pillows she kept in the small observatory of her home. "As you wish my Master."

000

17 ADP, 30th Day of the Seventh Moon

The Orcish Horde had moved at great pace on Thrall's order. The Queen Beeve had sent messenger to inform him that Blackmoore had found out that Taretha had been the one to start the fire that helped him escape and that she was to be publicly executed for her crimes.

Most of the Horde had been left behind in their haste and only his Blood Riders and those with mounts were able to keep pace but when he arrived at the gates of Durnholde he could see the archers lining the walls and Aedelas drunkenly swerving on the battlements.

"BLACKMOORE!" Thrall roared "I GIVE YOU THIS ONE CHANCE TO SURRENDER OR FACE DEATH!"

"Ha- *hic* ha! Thrall, you stupid boy, when did you get so funny?" Aedelas taunted drawing growls of anger from the orcs at the mockery of their Warchief.

Thrall glared at the human. "So you've chosen death." His words weren't shouted this time but still carried across the quiet morning.

"Hmph!" Blackmoore sneered down at the orc and reached for something by his feet before tossing it at Thrall. "Death indeed!"

Thrall looked down at the object only to look on in horror at the sight of Taretha's severed head. Darkness flooded his mind and rage filled his heart once again as his eyes bled red. "Kill... them... all." He whispered before drawing his blade and screaming "KILL THE ALL!"

Driven by pure rage and hatred Thrall charged the wooden gate as black smoke seemed to waft off his body, the cold calculating nature of the Void allowing Thrall to keep himself through the demonic rage which turned his body into an unstoppable killing machine.

Thrall only faintly registered the warcries of his riders as they stormed the gates. Most of the battle felt like a blur but Thrall kept the distinct memory of tearing Aedelas in half with his bare hands in the forefront of his mind as the Orcs laid seige to the Hold and freed the last of their bretheren.

000

"What now Warchief?" Gromm asked, a satisfied lilt to his voice as they watched the last internment camp burn.

"Now we go west." Thrall told his friend and High Warlord while still looking upon the grave sadly. They stood upon a hill overlooking the burning camp where Thrall had buried Taretha after finding her body.

"West, Warchief?" A new orc asked as he approached the leaders of his people alongside another orc. "What lies west?"

"Kalimdor, Brox." Thrall answered his new arrival before nodding to the other man "Varok. I see you both enjoyed yourselves." He said, glancing at their bloodied axes.

The Sourfang brothers were rescued in the first of the Arathi interment camps where the remains of the Blackrock clan were kept and quickly swore themselves to Thrall as he was Orgrim's successor.

Their ferocity in battle helped win many encounters as their very might and courage inspired their comrades to fight harder.

"What awaits us in Kalimdor, Warchief?" Varok asked, his tone low, being the more quiet of the two brothers.

"Hopefully home Varok. The human queen has sent us missives of possible lands we could call our own. The forests of northern Kalimdor are occupied by the Night Elves and the south are claimed by roaming tribes of all kinds but near the upper coast is a suitable area, a bit south of a land called Azshara." Thrall informed them.

"Bah! Why should we move when there is perfectly good land here?" Hellscream groused.

"Because I do not wish for our people to be fighting the humans for their lands until they decide to wipe us out. The Alterac Queen has advised that we quickly harvest what lumber we can and start constructing ships to sail across the seas, there we will build a new home for our people and I truly belive that is the best coarse of action for us." Thrall returned. "We've only just freed our people, let us not be so quick as to put them in chains once again in unneaded battles against the humans."

Varok nodded "I agree with the Warchief, if we can leave and start a new life peacefully then we should. I do not shy away from battle but neither do I seek it needlessly."

Hellscream huffed in annoyance but nodded his acceptance. "It is as the Warchief wills."

"Best you remember that Gromm." An older but still strong voice joined them, making the four orcs turn to see Orgrim walking up to them. "We should leave soon Warchief, even if the King of these lands is our ally we should not stay here overlong."

"Of course Orgrim. Brox, Varok, Gromm gather the soldiers, we move back for Hillsbrad." Thrall commanded.

"Yes, Warchief!" The three orcs snapped a salute and quickly left to rally the warriors.

"Thrall." Orgrim began drawing the young orc's attention. "Come, we must speak."

Thrall simply nodded and followed the former Warchief to his tent. "What do you wish to speak about Orgrim?"

"This plan of yours to sail west... I do not disagree with it but we must properly plan this, from our knowledge of the Second War the trip across the seas will be roughly five weeks. There are many island chains between Hillsbrad and Kalimdor, not to mention the massive maelstrom in the middle so we need supplies that will last us that long." Orgrim began speaking as he laid out a map across his table. "The other important thing to note is that we'll be sailing past those damned Proudmoores. Their ships will be better made and better equiped than whatever we cobble together and there is a very real possibility that we may lose more than a few ships during our passing through Kul Tiras."

Thrall frowned as he took that information in before asking "What if we went the other way around? Left from the other side of Arathi and sail to the other end of Kalimdor?"

Orgrim gave a thoughtful hum before shrugging "I never sent any ships that way so I'm not sure of what we'll find but it is worth a try I suppose. It will let us avoid the Kul Tiran navy entirely and we could possibly discover a more favorable land than whatever hole that human Queen wished to stick us in."

Thrall nodded slowly before the idea gained more and more traction in his mind. "Unfortunately the only way to the otherside of Arathi is down the path by the Dwarf bridge. They'll never let us through without a fight and their walls are lined with firearms. We could try heading down through the Hinterlands but again that is occupied by the Wildhammer dwarves who are allies with the Alterac and Stromgarde kings."

"And we can't asked them to let us through because officially we're enemies." Orgrim said followed by a snort. "This is why I never liked politics, we may as well fight our way through the Hinterlands, at least if we make a base near the shore we can harvest the forests there for our lumber."

"That may be our best bet." Thrall said quietly as he stroked his chin. "Guard!"

"Yes, Warchief?" An orc asked, having immeditely entered the tent.

"Informed by advisors to gather in ten at my tent, we have important matters to discuss."

000

17 ADP, 12th Day of the Tenth Moon

Jaina came to attend the Meeting of Lords scheduled today after making sure her son was fed and put to sleep while being minded by two maids and a squad of loyal men.

Today they were discussing the Orc menace which had seemingly disappeared off the face of Azeroth after sacking the interment camps.

She of course knew the truth as Beve told Menma and he told her, a rather round-about way of information trading but she refused to speak with that woman for personal reasons.

Their lack of knowledge was a given considering that Alterac, Stromgarde and Aerie Peak had all seceeded from the Alliance and were 'dealing' with the orcs in the Hinterlands internally within the Empire.

Speaking of which the Empire had recently begun open trading with Quel'thalas and are on track for possibly integrating the Elven kingdom into the Empire.

Technically the Orcs were unofficial allies of the Empire but given her father's disposition towards the green men he would likely try to war with them and Kul Tiras and the Empire may come to blows in the future.

Hopefully she would be able to take the Lordaeron Throne before that happened and leverage her position to make her father see reason but she wasn't holding her breath as Derek's death had hit him the hardest.

000

17 ADP, 27nd Day of the Eleventh Moon

"I received your note about the weekend." Sylvanas spoke as she entered the range set up for archery training where Menma was trying to pick up the skill. "Where did you wander off to?"

"I took the week to head back to Alterac and to spend time with my family. My son Saren turned four on the twenty-third." Menma answered absentmindedly before taking the shot. A perfect bulleyes on the dummy's head.

"I don't believe you ever mentioned having a son?" Sylvanas asked with a raised eyebrow.

"He's a child." Menma said before launching another arrow which looped slightly to strike the dummy behind the first one before turning to his friend. "Hasn't really done much worth mentioning."

"Not bad..." Sylvanas began before whiping out her bow and matching the shot with half the time and twice the precision seeing as she shot through it. "-but not great either."

Menma simply stared at her momentarily smug face. "Oh, we're playing the one up game are we? Alright then, loser has to do one thing the winner demands."

Sylvanas frowned at the man "I will not perform any acts that would demean my station as Ranger-General."

Menma laughed and waved her off. "Nah, I was just thinking a date. You know, dinner, maybe a stroll through Eversong during the evening?"

Sylvanas hesitated for a moment before her pride as an archer won through. "Very well but when I win, I desire another of those specialized lessons."

Menma grinned. It was a surprise to him when Sylvanas showed a natural apptitude to the Void but considering her logical and calculating mind he supposed it only made sense, not mention that he had yet to see anyone murder trolls with a cold efficiency quite like her.

All elves hate trolls but it seemed that the Windrunner sisters were especially hateful of species after the murder of their mother and little brother.

"You're on." He concentrated for a moment before launching his arrow which split into three different arrows mid-flight and perfectly sticking in the head, heart and head of the three target dummies.

Sylvanas scowled for a moment before scoffing "We're using magic now? Fine." She said challengingly before drawing four arrows from her quiver.

"Oh for the Sunwell's sake, would you two just fuck and get it over with!?" Vereesa shouted making Sylvanas' shot go wide as she heard her sister's words. "Sun above, it was funny at first but now it's just annoying. Seriously sis, this awkward thing you call flirting is causing me physical pain."

"Vereesa! We're in public!" Sylvanas chided, though if one looked closely enough they could spot the hints of a blush on her already pinkish skin.

Menma just laughed seeing where the arrows landed. "Guess this is my win Sylvanas... and you know what that means, right?"

Rounding back on the smug idiot Sylvanas drew up on him with a scowl. "That doesn't count and you know it, Vereesa distracted me!"

"And you know full well that battlefields are distracting, those trolls aren't just gonna stand there looking pretty just because your little sister embarassed you for a moment." Menma told her, "Now are you going to uphold your end of the bet... or not?"

Sylvanas' eye twitched for a moment before she turned away with a huff "Fine. I'm a woman of my word and I will agree to the previous set terms... one... date. Just one!"

Menma grinned widely and nodded "Just one."

Vereesa shook her head and gazed upon her friend fondly. "Sorry sis but all he needs is the one, Menma's a terrible lout and a brute but he has a charm that will draw you in before you know it."

Menma laughed hearing Vereesa's comments about him "Vereesa! I'm hurt, to think you see me so lowly!"

"Oh shut it you," Vereesa said with a smile as she slapped his shoulder "Here I am, having taken a trip all the way up here only to find you trying to court my dear sister! Shame on you!"

"Well it's your fault Vereesa, you're the one that kept going on and on about how Sylvanas that the most beautiful elf in all of Quel'thalas, I just had to see for myself. Gotta say, you weren't wrong." Menma replied with a grin seeing the growing anger in Sylvanas' eyes as they spoke as if she wasn't there.

"Do not make me rescind my word, Idiot!" Sylvanas warned.

Vereesa shared his grin, having never seen this side of her normally cool and composed elder sister... what would Alleria say about this? "Alright, alright sis, come one let's go get you ready!" The younger sister said as she pushed Sylvanas along towards the dragonhawks.

"What? Get ready for what?" Sylavas asked as Vereesa pulled her along.

"For your big date of course! You can borrow one of my dresses!" The retreating voice of Vereesa said enthusiastically.

"DRESS!?"

Menma let out a huff as a smirk flit across his lips. Who would have thought that Vereesa would one day wing-man for him to get with her sister.

Vereesa seemed almost too eager for them to hook-up, on top of making it clear that she was still very interested in... wait. The smirk on his face widened into a grin. "Oh Vereesa you naughty little lynx... is that what you're after? Maybe your admiration of Sylvanas ran a little deeper than I first thought."

000

18 ADP, 10th Day of the First Moon

"The Orcs-"

"To hell with the Orcs!" Genn shouted, "They haven't been spotted in months since Durnholde was destroyed and I am no longer wasting my resources to locate whever they've fucked off to!"

"Genn, be reasonable! The Horde-"

"I am being reasonable! I am doing what is best for my people and right now the Alliance and your obsession with finding those green bastards is not it!" Genn Graymane proclaimed before standing up and storming out of the meeting. "Consider this my resignation."

"It is regrettable but I must inform you that Dalaran too will be leaving the Alliance." Antonidas told his old friend. "The council has voted and we will be joining the Empire by the end of the week."

Terenas' eyes widened as he turned to his old friend "Antonidas?"

"I apologize my old friend but I was outvoted and the council has spoken. Goodbye and good luck Terenas." With that the elderly Archmage teleported out of the meeting room.

Jaina watched all of this quietly from her father's side. Everything was going according to plan. Soon stress, overwork and the sudden loss of his son would prove too much for the old King and leave her the sole ruler of Lordaeron.

Seeking safety in numbers she would then join the Empire and convince her father to join as well. With Terenas gone the dwarves of Ironforge may turn to Menma as the other liberator of their lands and seek to join the Empire.

As soon as the meeting ended she returned to her rooms and laid down on her bed next to the still sleeping Derek (Uzumaki) Menethil and decided that it was time to truly begin spreading the Embrace.

000

18 ADP, 14th Day of the Second Moon

After many months of sailing, exploring and fighting the Orcish Horde had settled into a ruined city in the middle of a forest that was occupied by all manner of foul creature. The ogres swore fealty to the Warchief after Thrall challenged the former ogre king to Mak'gora and slain him in the middle of the gladiator pit.

Next they had cleared out the demonic infestation that claimed the east wing with the aid of the ogres followed by the culling of the ghosts in the West quarter. There they had discovered a hidden sect of Highborne who turned hostile upon the slaying of their demon master, the few that surrendered were allowed to live and continue living within their sanctum under the caviat that they no longer practice demonology and teach the orcs the ways of magic.

Now after nearly two months, progress was being made and the first orc mages were born. The ogres seemed to have already discovered the ways of magic themselves but it was more instinctual for them than intellectual and they really weren't great teachers.

"Warchief!" A runner came sprinting into the building Thrall had sequestered for himself and his advisors. "I bring news from the gates!"

"Take a breath." Thrall commanded and after letting the runner catch his breath he asked "What news?"

"Elves, Warchief! Purple ones, at the gates!"

"Those must be the Night Elves the human queen warned us about. Is it possible that we sailed further north than we first believed?" Orgrim pondered.

"No, the Tauren traders said we were south of the Barrens, far away from Ashenvale Forest." Thrall answered before turning to the runner, "Brox gather an escort. We shall meet with these elves. Varok, please fetch Evenshade, I hope the sight of another elf will put them at ease."

"At once Warchief." The Sourfang brothers snapped a salute before quickly setting out to follow their Warchief's orders.

"Ten gold says they'll try to lay claim to our home." Gromm grunted from his seat near the far wall where he was now sharpening his axe.

Thrall chuckled a bit "That's a good bet Gromm."

"Hmph. I'd like to see them try."

"Do not instigate anything Gromm, if possible I'd like to set up a peaceful rapport with the Elves like we did the Tauren, if not then so be it but we shall not be the ones to first draw blades, is that clear?" Thrall stated not only to Gromm but the whole room filled with advisors and guards.

"Yes, Warchief!" They all cried out with a snapped salute.

"Good... now let's see what we make of these Night Elves."

It took only a few minutes on wolfback to reach the main gates of Dire Maul where a group of Night Elves were waiting while the Orc and Ogre guards stood firm and oddly enough a small troupe of Tauren who seemed to be speaking with the elves.

As they neared Thrall was actually able to recognize the main Tauren as Cairne Bloodhoof, the leader of the Tauren clans. "Cairne, we were not expecting you back so soon." Thrall spoke as they dismounted and approached the outsiders.

"Ah, young Warchief!" Cairne spoke in a warm and inviting drawl "The spirits spoke to me to make haste south in order to prevent a great tragedy. I believe I have arrived just in time."

"Bloodhoof, who are these... people whom have laid claim to our ancient city?" The lead elf sneered.

Thrall snorted in amusement. "I belive they're called Ogres or have you forgot that Dire Maul hasn't belonged to you since before we arrived?"

The elven woman glared and took a step forward only for Cairne to interpose his massive treetrunk like arms between the two leaders. "Calm." He spoke calmly but assertively. "I believe introductions have yet to be conducted?"

"Thrall Bloodwolf, Warchief of the Horde." The young orc introduced himself easily enough, crossing his arms as if challenging the woman in front of him.

Her glare tightened for a moment before saying "Captain Shandris Feathermoon of the Ashenvale Sentinels."

"A long way from Ashenvale." Gromm grunted.

"It is duty of the Night Elves to safeguard the Sacred Forests." Shandris bit back.

Gromm made to speak again only to be silenced by a wave of Thrall's hand. "Nevertheless we have taken this city through our own merits and unless you wish to war over it, here we shall stay."

"There will be no war." Cairne denied firmly.

"Quite right." A cultured voice said as he approached the gates next to Varok. He looked upon the Night Elves in distaste. "There will be no war as you have no claim to Eldre'Thalas, this is home to the Quel'dorei and you are no noble, commoner."

Shandris's eyes widened upon seeing the Highbourne, "Archmage Evenshade?"

"Hmph. It seems as though even this child recognizes me after all this time." Evenshade said as he stood on Thrall's other side. "The Quel'dorei of Eldre'Thalas have entered into a treaty with Warchief Thrall to share our city in exchange for protection and if you wish you take what is not yours then my people will show you filthy commoners first hand the power of the Arcane. Now run along and play amongst your mud and sticks girl."

Shandri's eye twitched at that before turning to the hulking Orcs and Ogres who had begun to amass. "The Priestess will hear of this."

"Good." Mordent scoffed "Tell Tyrande to keep a tighter leash on her toy soldiers next time. Now begone." With that the elven sorceror turned made back for his sanctum.

Gromm snorted a chuckle seeing the Night Elves leaving. "Did you see the look on her face? I thought for sure they would reach for those twigs on their backs."

"Hmm." Turning towards Cairne Thrall asked "Should we be wary?"

"The High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind has been known to act rashly from time to time." Cairne informed the Warchief. "However I do not believe she will push the issue if in fact the Highbourne living in Dire Maul already lay true claim to it."

"In any case, I assume you've had a long journey? Care to join me for lunch?" Thrall offered kindly to the grandfatherly Tauren who smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, young Warchief, I do believe these old bones could do with a rest."

000

18 ADP, 5th Day of the Third Moon

Menma slowly awoke with the morning's rays, feeling the familiar weight of his two Windrunners pressed up against him. Sylvanas seemed to rouse moments later, peering into his eyes with a look of untold lust before kissing him deeply as she had taken to doing every morning. "Good morning Sylvanas."

"Mmm." Sylvanas agreed as she sat up, uncaring of her nudity as the sheets slipped off her plump breasts topped with soft pink nipples which were already hard from either the kiss or the morning chill. "A fine morning to you as well my dear Fool."

"Takes a fool to know a fool." Menma countered with a smile.

"Ha." She chuckled lightly but didn't dispute the fact, "Must be true, for who else but a fool would be convinced to bed her own sister and her lover."

"Do you regret it?" Menma asked, last night being the first time he and Vereesa had convinced Sylvanas into a three-way even if it did take copious amounts of alchohol.

Peering over her shoulder at her lover of three months before turning to her still sleeping sister, drool sliding down her cheek as she had often done as child before smiling fondly and shaking her head. "I do not. We three sisters have always shared everything, it seems as though sharing lovers is no different."

"You're better when you smile." Menma noted. "I like Sylvanas the cool and aloof beauty but the Sylvanas that smiles like that around those she cares about is even better." While he would likely never experience love as normal people do, catching glimpses of it during his time with his lovers was more than enough for him.

"Mrhnnn..." Vereesa grumbled and turned on her side. "No more... laps... captain..."

They had both turned to the youngest sister during her sleep talking before Menma turned an amused eye at Sylvanas. "My Little Moon often talks during sleep, during an especially eventful dream she's even been known to walkabout. It seems as though she's recalling her time under Captain Fairleaf's training for Farstrider recruits." Sylvanas provided as she stepped around the bed to Vereesa's side and gently wiped the drool off her sister's face with the sheet. "Honestly, nearly fourty and she still acts a child."

"Vereesa once mentioned that elves mature slower, at what age are they usually considered and adult?" Menma asked as Sylvanas moved around her room to prepare for the day.

"Fourty." Sylvanas answered as she picked a pair of panties from her drawer. "Technically speaking she still is a child but the Farstriders allow trainees as early as thirty and upon graduation you are considered an adult."

"Huh..." Menma blinked taking in the new information as he looked at the still sleeping Vereesa before turning to Sylvanas "I didn't just commit a crime did I?"

"Sylvanas laughed and shook her head "As I said, Vereesa is considered an adult due to her graduation but do be warned, children are very well protected in Elven culture and normally you would be arrested and gelded for your transgressions."

"Ah." Menma nodded, "Well good thing she's a Farstrider then."

"Indeed." Sylvanas agreed as she took the bundle of clothes in her hands and made for one of the side rooms. "For both of our sakes."

000

18 ADP, 12th Day of the Fourth Moon

Jaina looked down at the group of kneeling acolytes as she finished her last sermon of the night. Two more had joined tonight, increasing their might in Lordaeron to thirty-seven. Her smile was a faint yet proud thing, Menma said that she had a charisma to match his own and only now was she starting to believe him.

The Embraced would grow strong, of this she swore.

AN - So recently I've really gotten into WORM. Haven't had a chance to read the actual webstory yet but I have read through a few fanfics and I really like the setting, it reminded me of The Boys almost from what I've read so I decided to try my hand at a CYOA set up in a new story I posted alongside this chapter so if you get the chance please check it out and give me your feedback!